Prince William and Prince Harry help with flood defenses Friday in Datchet, United Kingdom. Flood water has remained high in the area and high winds are causing disruption to other parts of the UK.

Prince William and Prince Harry spent Valentine’s Day putting their hearts, along with their heft, into helping a flood-hit village in southern England.

The royal brothers joined military soldiers to haul sandbags early Friday morning in Datchet, Berkshire, where homeowners have been struggling to protect their homes against rising floods.

The two princes worked with members of the Household Cavalry, for whom Harry is an officer. William also was attached to the regiment before he retired from the military service last September.

Their visit was unannounced but news crews and photographers followed the pair once word about their work spread about five hours into their effort. At one point, Prince William asked one reporter to help out. The journalist tried but was told he couldn't because he didn't have appropriate clothing.

Prince William to Guardian: "Why don't you put the notebook down and give us a hand with the sandbags?" I offered but was told no by minders

"Not really, with you guys around,” he replied, according to the Press Association, a UK news agency.

Graham Leaver, a clerk at the Datchet parish council, praised the princes for their involvement.

"They were very natural. To be honest, they could have walked in among people here and nobody would have recognized them looking at the way they were dressed,” he told the Press Association of the two princes, clad in Wellington boots and waterproof outerwear.

Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images

Prince William and Prince Harry leave a temporary military base.

Queen Elizabeth also lent her aid to flood victims in the area, according to a Buckingham Palace spokesman who said the monarch contributed food and bedding from the royal farms at Windsor.